The Abaco Dinghy & What not to name your boat!

Traditional Abaco sailing dinghies are revered here in the islands.  The heavy weight of the Bahamian hard wood frames is compensated by the large sails.  The keel is full length which helps to keep them steady when there is wind and a single oar over the transom is used for skulling on days when the air is still.  This dinghy was originally used for freight transportation, fishing, conching (pronounced “conking”meaning to pick up the conch shell in which a large sea-snail lives.)   

We stumbled upon the last 14 foot dinghy of this type made in Hope Town on our walk to the Hope Town Marina.  “Scully” was  built by Winer Malone in 2010. 

Man-O-War Cay is also known for building the Abaco Dinghy.  You may have heard of Albury Brothers boats.  William Albury was known for building large boats while Maurice Albury built the Abaco dinghy in the early 1800’s.  Joe Albury continues the dinghy tradition today.  It is worth a trip to see the shop over in Man-O-War.

Oh yeah! What not to name your boat.  We had to walk through a boat yard to get to the Elbow Cay Marina.  Of course, Steve didn’t mind this at all.  He enjoyed looking at all the boats and peering into their workshop.  We saw the boat below and thought it could use a better name.  Anyone agree with me? 

Joy